Can you imagine what 10.2 billion animals would look like all gathered into one place? This may be nearly impossible to wrap your mind around, but that, according to the United States Department of Agriculture, is how many chickens, cows, turkeys, ducks, geese and other animals are killed each year in the United States for their meat.

Now some readers may think this is a staggering number but is necessary to feed a country. Others may see this number as heartbreaking. Those who find the killing of animals heartbreaking may decide to become vegetarians.

“I feel like every little bit helps,” said Alexis Smallwood, a student at Bardstown High School who took it a step further and became vegan in December of 2012. She does not eat meat, eggs or dairy products.

While talking, Smallwood became emotional about the subject.  She said, “I became vegan after I saw a video of nearly any animal you can think of being slaughtered. The worst were the cows, brutally killed just to make a steak for someone.”

Angelica Giovanni agreed with Smallwood’s view, saying, “I just don’t think it’s right that these animals should suffer just so some of us can have a meal while you can easily survive without eating meat.”

Giovanni has been a vegetarian since July of 2013.  She said, “(Being vegetarian) is difficult sometimes, but it’s become mostly a habit at this point. I just wish more people were more concerned about it.”

A 2013 Public Policy Polling survey found 13 percent of Americans identify as vegetarian (6 percent) or vegan (7 percent).  Vegetarian Times cites reasons for becoming a vegetarian varying from concerns about health and food safety to weight control and animal treatment.

Nutritionist Tina Thompson of Bluegrass Nutrition Counseling in Lexington, Ky., understands the difficulty in following a vegetarian diet.

Thompson said, “Being a vegetarian in today’s world can be tough, with a lot of fast food containing meat. We have to slow down our lives a bit to get food that fits a vegetarian diet, such as fixing a lunch before school or work, going only to certain restaurants or not eating certain foods from dinner at a friend’s house.”

Thompson said it’s possible to be a vegetarian and meet all nutrition needs.

She said, “In terms of nutrition, you’re going to have to make up for the lost protein with lots of beans and eggs, but there are some sources not many people know about such as quinoa, which contains all essential amino acids needed for healthy body functions so it is referred to as a ‘complete protein.’”